Source: International Congress 2015 – Occupational and environmental cohort investigations and population studies
Disease area: Airway diseases

Abstract

Wood dust is a common cause of occupational asthma in Britain. Past research has demonstrated the potential for high exposures during furniture and wood manufacturing processes.To evaluate the evidence for non-neoplastic respiratory ill health associated with work in the furniture and wood manufacturing sector.A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. Initial searches identified 1328 references, from which 55 articles were included in the final review. Articles were graded using SIGN and MERGE (Methods for Evaluating Research Guidelines and Evidence) criteria. Data were grouped by study outcome.Fourteen studies were graded either A (using MERGE) or above 2++ (using SIGN). No recent British papers were found. All but one paper describing airway symptoms reported an increased risk between higher wood dust exposed versus lower or non-exposed groups. Eight studies reported asthma; mean exposures in these studies were lower than the current UK exposure limit. Five of these articles examined a dose response, with three reporting a positive dose effect. The relative risk for asthma in exposed workers in the single meta-analysis was 1.5 (95% CI 1.25 – 1.87). Of 32 studies reporting lung function, one found excess longitudinal lung function loss only in female smokers with highest exposure. Where measured, sensitisation did not clearly relate to prevalence of work-related symptoms.Wood processing and furniture industry work is associated with a significantly increased risk of respiratory symptoms and asthma. No recent British studies were found. Further study is required to better understand the prevalence of respiratory problems in British woodworkers within this sector.


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Ruth Wiggans (Manchester, United Kingdom), Ruth Eleanor Wiggans, Gareth Evans, David Fishwick, Chris Barber. Respiratory ill health in the furniture and wood processing industries: A systematic review. Eur Respir J 2015; 46: Suppl. 59, 1178

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